Benefits of Curious and Kind Nature Play
Why a Forest School?
Forest School concept originates from Friedrich Frobel, a German educator, more then 150 years ago. His focus on playing in nature has grown throughout Europe and now in the USA numbering in the 1000s of “Forest Schools”. This movement stems from a desire for our children to have healthy holistic educational opportunities. The approach allows for extended periods of self directed play which naturally includes exploration and risk-taking. This type of learning results in strong bodies, balanced minds & an abundance of confidence.
Forest School concept originates from Friedrich Frobel, a German educator, more then 150 years ago. His focus on playing in nature has grown throughout Europe and now in the USA numbering in the 1000s of “Forest Schools”. This movement stems from a desire for our children to have healthy holistic educational opportunities. The approach allows for extended periods of self directed play which naturally includes exploration and risk-taking. This type of learning results in strong bodies, balanced minds & an abundance of confidence.
Principles of Forest school
Principle 1: Forest School is a long term process of frequent and regular sessions in a woodland or natural environment, rather than a one off visit. Planning, adaptation, observations and reviewing are integral elements of Forest School.
Principle 2: Forest School takes place in a woodland or natural wooded environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.
Principle 3: Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
Principle 4: Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.
Principle 5: Forest School is run by qualified Forest School practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.
Principle 6: Forest School uses a range of learner - centerd processes to create a community for development and learning.
Principle 1: Forest School is a long term process of frequent and regular sessions in a woodland or natural environment, rather than a one off visit. Planning, adaptation, observations and reviewing are integral elements of Forest School.
Principle 2: Forest School takes place in a woodland or natural wooded environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.
Principle 3: Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
Principle 4: Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.
Principle 5: Forest School is run by qualified Forest School practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.
Principle 6: Forest School uses a range of learner - centerd processes to create a community for development and learning.
"The child is made of one hundred. The child has a hundred languages, a hundred hands, a hundred thoughts, a hundred ways of thinking, of playing, of speaking. ... " -excerpt from 100 Languages by Loris Malaguzzi of the Reggie Emilia Approach
What are the benefits of this type of education?
Heath and wellness
Learning Skills
- Mental health and wellness the freedom on play allows
- Physical bodies: gross and fine motor skills, proprioceptive- muscle and bone development and strength, digestion and immune benefits
Learning Skills
- Social: social awareness, self management/regulation, confidence
- Emotional: caring, communication, collaboration and conflict resolution
- Higher Order Thinking: problem solving, critical thinking, creativity
- Community: understanding others, empathy, responsible decision making
- Foundation for abstract thinking which leads to early literacy, numeracy, reasoning, scientific thinking and more
“We must give childhood back to children. Children must be allowed to follow their inborn drives to play and explore so that they can grow into intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically strong and resilient adults.” — Dr. Peter Gray